Safety-rein.



No. 664,5!8. Patented Dec. 25, I900.

0. M. WHITMAN.

SAFETY REIN.

(Application filed May 28, 1900.) (No Model.)

rm: nonms PETERS co. m o'roumo, WASNDNGTOK a c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORIN MONROE WHITMAN, OF DICKINSON, NEW YORK.

SAFETY-RIEIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,518, d t d December 25, 1900.

Application filed May 23, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORIN MONROE WHIT- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dickinson, in the county of Franklin and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Safety-Rein, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to driving-reins in general, and it has specific reference to the means for preventing a draft-animal from getting its tail over the lines under ordinary circumstances, the object of the invention being to provide a construction wherein should the tail get over the lines the lines may be easily withdrawn and in which also the tail will not so readily catch over the lines, as is usual.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of the invention in which the rigid portion of of the reins is formed as a separable attachment. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing a second form of line wherein the rigidity is socured through the medium of a core around which the material of the rein is secured. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 2 and showing the core in elevation. Fig. 4 is a view showing the practical application of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, 5 represents the rigid portion of the rein, which consists of a rod of wood or of metal or a metallic tube, the ends of which are slotted to receive the ends of the leather sections 6 and 7 of the rein. The leather portion 6 is comparatively short and is provided with a buckle 9 of any suitable form and which provides means for attachment of the rein proper, 12, in a secure yet removable manner. The flexible portion 7 is perforated, as shown, for engagement therewith of the buckle 10 of the hand portion 11 of the rein. The rod 5 is of such length that in practice its forward end may lie upon the rump of theanimal, while the rear end will lie between the dashboard of the vehicle to which the animal is hitched and the rump. Should the animal then get Serial No. 17,727. iNo model.)

its tail over the reins, the reins may be drawn rearwardly, and because of the forward ends of the rigid portions lying against the rump of the animal there will be a lever action to draw the tail backward and move the reins laterally from beneath it.

In Figs. 2. and 3 of the drawings the stiffening-rod 5 is shown as disposed within the inclosu're of the rein or line, the leather or other material of the rein or line being sewed around the rod to form a covering therefor. The operation of the stiff or rigid portion is the same in each instance, and it will be readily seen that the objects of the invention are accomplished in a cheap and efficient manner.

It will of course be understood that in practice the specific constructions shown may be modified and that any suitable materials and proportions may be employed for the parts thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is- 1. Driving-reins each consisting of a short rigid section, a flexible section at one end of the rigid section for connection with a bitring, and a short flexible section at the opposite end of the rigid section, the rigid section being located remote from the bit end of the rein, to lie with its forward end against the hip of a horse and with its body portion extending rearwardly therefrom.

2. Driving-reins each consisting of a short rigid section having slotted ends, a flexible section inserted in the slot at one end of the rigid section for connection with a bit-ring, and a short flexible section inserted in the slot at the opposite end of the rigid section, the rigid section being located remote from the bit-ring end of the rein, to lie with its forward end against the hip of a horse and with its body portion extending rearwardly therefrom.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

F. D. BARRY, BENJ. L. WELLS. 

